Personal Digital Camera Policy: Home

Archives and Special Collections Personal Digital Camera Policy

Personal digital cameras can place less stress than photocopying or scanning on archive materials, save time and lessen reproduction costs, and reduce environmental impact of using paper when making copies. As a result, researchers may be allowed at the sole discretion of Archives and Special Collections (ASC) to use personal digital cameras (cell phone, point & shoot, and tablet cameras) within ASC in order to copy materials. ASC will not approve any use of flash lighting, any copying that puts materials at risk, or requests that may prove otherwise inconsistent with rigorous archival practices, the requirements of ASC, or the directions of ASC staff from time to time. In addition, when permitted to make copies, the researcher acknowledges and agrees to the following conditions and limitations in making those copies.

The copies are made solely for personal use and research and the researcher or anyone acting on their behalf may not publish or broadcast the materials in any media, exhibit or distribute them on open networks or unsecured networks, archive them other than in a personal and secured research archive, or disseminate them to third parties unless otherwise approved in writing by the Director of ASC and otherwise consistent with US copyright law and/or with permission from any known rights holders.

ASC staff will be available to assist the researcher in proper handling of materials. The researcher cannot under any circumstances remove the materials from the Mylar sleeves or sheets.

ASC prohibits the use of personal scanners, SLR cameras, tripods, and/ or other camera or reproduction equipment. These technologies and equipment are not permitted in the Research Room. No photographs of the staff, the room, or archive materials not previously requested and identified may be taken.

The researcher is solely responsible for keeping complete citations to properly identify the material photographed and to assess compliance with U.S. Copyright law (Title 17, United States Code).

Researchers who have other copy needs that are not otherwise permitted by this agreement, such as copies for publication or further reproduction, must place an order for reproduction services with ASC and obtain permission from the copyright holder.

When you check the box on the registration screen, you indicate that you have read the above conditions and agree to abide by them. In addition, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless the University of Louisville from all suits, claims, actions, and expenses arising from any use of the copies made of Archives and Special Collections materials.

NOTICE WARNING CONCERNING COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS

The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.